When you are released from your obligation to serve, you are “discharged.” If you received an “Honorable” discharge, it’s unlikely there’s any need to request a subsequent upgrade. However, other types of discharge categories can have a serious, permanent affect on qualifying for Veterans benefits, including those issued by Texas…
This may sound like the start of a bad joke because it is so difficult to receive any type of benefit from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). However, Veterans and family members do receive collection letters from VA. This VA debt-collection correspondence is issued by VA’s Debt Management Center, or…
The 2010 Census offers unique insight to U.S. Veterans. Over 835,000 Americans are Veterans who served during both Gulf War eras. Almost 50,000 more American Veterans served in Vietnam era and both Gulf War eras. This means the United States has almost 1 million Veterans potentially suffering from serious service-connected injuries. If you…
What Are Lay or Buddy Statements? “Lay” or “buddy” statements are: Oral statements made by the Veteran, family members, friends, neighbors, or service buddies during a hearing; OR Any written declaration or written statement made by the same (Veteran, family members, etc.), regarding the Veteran’s disability. Why Are Lay or Buddy…
Cuckoos are geniuses in the bird world. They trick unsuspecting birds into feeding their chicks, usually with the result that the poor duped birds loose their own babies while the cuckoo chick thrives. But don’t think this happens only in the bird world. Others have learned from the cuckoo, and…
Many people assume new illnesses, aches, and pains are “normal.” Just part of aging. Simply bad luck. Or even genetics. Veterans should not be lulled into passive acceptance of this so-called common wisdom. Diet and exercise can only get you so far with the many health problems – some tremendously…
If the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) denies your request for benefits, don’t be shocked. If VA gives you a lower disability rating than you merit, don’t be shocked. Since 2014, in an effort to reduce its backlog of disability benefits claims, word is that VA is simply shoveling responses…
Bob Goss, founder of the Law Office of Robert B. Goss, P.C. Back in September, we posted a blog about VA’s handling of the “Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014,” P.L. 113-146 (“Choice Act”). The “Choice Act” was intended to improve Veterans’ access to medical services – especially…
Mission focus is why we justly admire our active-duty and Veteran military personnel. Unfortunately for our service members and Veterans, “Playing with pain” can quickly evolve from a mantra to a way of life. This means that injuries and ailments are pushed aside, even if non-prescription painkillers are required. To protect…
You are not a medical professional. But, you’re a smart person with at least average ability to understand instructions and information. Guess what? If you blindly sign all those forms they give you at the doctor’s office, your intelligence will be used to pin all the risks from any medical procedure on you. This article…